THE GODLESS GIRL
Starring Lina Basquette, George Duryea, Marie Prevost, Noah Beery
and Eddie Quillan
PHOTOPLAY
July, 1928
There has been much conjecture as to "The Godless Girl." Many prophesied that Cecil B. DeMille could not "get away with another picture with a lesson." There is a lesson in "The Godless Girl" but Jeanie Macpherson's story is so interesting you don't realize you have learned several vital facts - until you get home!
George Duryea heads a raid on the meeting of Lina Basquette, leader of a group of high school atheists. A girl is accidenlty killed in a riot and the pair of protagonists are sent to a reform school. The ensuing situations are painted with broad and vivid strokes. In power of presenation, "The Godless Girl" is reminiscient of "Manslaughter," although, of course, the two plots are entirely disimilar. It bristles with familiar examples of the DeMille ability to tell a story with force and power. In it are some of the finest scenes any director has done. The death of Mary Jane Irving, the escape, the fire scene - these rare exquisite gems.
The acting honors go to George Duryea, Marie Prevost, Lina Basquette, Eddie Quillan and Noah Berry in that order. As lack of space witll not permit going into details, suffice it to say that no one who likes an extraordinarily good show should miss "The Godless Girl." If it sticks a knife into existing abuses - that's just an "extra" for which parents, school-teachers and juvenile court judges will owe DeMille a prayerful vote of thanks.
I cannot end without adding a word - "Watch Marie Prevost." Marie steps out and troupes!